About the Programme
SICI’s promotion of academic research collaborations and institutional partnerships over the last 54 years have generated a range of transformative breakthroughs in the scholarly lives of its fellows. This impact extends around India-Canada bilateral corridor that has led to tackling and addressing the world’s most challenging issues by its large community of scholars. In light of this accomplishment and much more, SICI introduced Bi-national Thematic Research Cluster in March 2022. to address academic research and community needs by identifying key thematic areas, adopting an interdisciplinary approach to solving problems, seeking external funding to sustain collaborative/collective efforts made by its research cluster groups/teams, with the objective of working effectively with institutions of higher excellence and learning, private sector, industry, faculty, federal and central governments of India and Canada, Indian states, Canadian provinces, research groups and civil society organizations.
Mechanism
STRCP supports seeding and nurturing the bi-national research clusters in various key thematic areas. Under the banner of this initiative, the Institute formed Shastri Mapping and Matching Bi-national Interest Workshops (SMMIWs) as the prime instrument to initiate clusters’ operations. These SMMIWs propose to conduct partnership development meetings in the areas of mutual interest to Indian and Canadian researchers. The workshops aim to support research relevant to international development and support new, emerging, and under-researched areas relevant to specifically identified themes. Providing opportunities to work across the bi-national board in order to enhance learning, these meetings will promote twinning partnerships for advanced research and development. As an outcome, the proposed workshops would also facilitate universities/institutions in India and Canada to establish research partnerships with the aim of creating innovations and social impact by engaging with relevant industries.
Structure
This programme is slated to run bi-nationally and it is aimed at providing value-addition by highlighting findings and insights as a result of the discussions and activities held across various disciplines and academic domains. STRCP is the initiative of SICI however, in the longer run the aspiration is to operate these clusters at an arm’s length from SICI structures, except that they will report directly to the Institute, which will retain the power to continue or withhold recognition as it sees fit. While recognition may be reviewed by the Institute at any time, normally it will be granted for a period of five years, which will be renewed in the next five-year term. Each cluster will be headed by a steering committee which will be comprised of researchers from SICI’s Indian and Canadian member institutions. The steering committee will constitute of a chair and co-chair & coordinator and co-coordinator (one from each country) selected by SICI who will take responsibility for overall guidance to the cluster. Day-to-day business of the cluster will be monitored by SICI officials till the cluster reaches the stage of independence. The steering committee will also establish, subject to acceptance by the Institute, operating policies that:
(1) are consistent with the overall policies and purposes of SICI, and
(2) ensure transparency
The identified areas for such workshops are as follows, but not limited to:
| Agriculture | Health Care including One Health and Public Health | Quantum Technologies | Sustainable Life | Green Economy |
| Water Management | Specialized and Advanced Manufacturing |
Public Policy |
Waste Management and Urban Design |
Artificial Intelligence |
| Arts and Culture,Conservation and Preservation of Heritage | Indigenous Knowledge Systems | Law and Governance | Digital Humanities | Others |